Pasadena, Ca. (KKOB) — The Pasadena Tournament of Roses® has selected
Heather de Kok, Judith K. Nakamura and Richard Schulhof as judges for the 2024 Float Awards
sponsored by FTD®.
This year’s judges bring unique perspectives on parades and floral presentations. An inductee of
the American Institute of Floral Design, Heather is a proud Canadian businesswoman and founder
of the Annual Maple Leaf Cup Floral Design Competition and has worked as a technical advisor
at the Interflora World Cup of Flowers in 2019 and 2023. Judith is a retired Chief Justice of the
New Mexico Supreme Court and is current President of the Albuquerque International Balloon
Fiesta, the world’s largest hot air balloon festival. Richard comes from a 50-year career in
horticulture, working as deputy director of Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum and recently
retired as CEO of the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Each year, three judges grant 24 float awards based on three categories: Float Design, Floral
Presentation and Entertainment Value. The judges are looking for creative design and
outstanding presentation of the theme matched with floral artistry and artistic excellence.
The top award is the coveted Sweepstakes trophy, which is awarded for the most beautiful entry,
encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment.
As the award-winning floats venture down the parade route, they are preceded by banners
showcasing their award. The banners are carried by members of the Tournament of Roses, Eagle
Scout Troops and Gold Award Girl Scout Troops.
On the morning of January 1, the award-winning floats will be announced on the front steps of
Tournament House by the 2024 Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian. The 135th Rose
Parade presented by Honda will begin at 8:00 AM/PST and will be broadcast in the United States
and around the world to kick off America’s New Year Celebration®.
For complete biographies of the 2024 Float Judges, please visit
https://tournamentofroses.com/2024-float-judges
FTD® is the official floral partner of the Tournament of Roses. The iconic American company has
been a valued partner of the Rose Parade for more than 60 years. FTD® brings their exquisite
floral vision to life on the antique cars used in the Rose Parade which carry the Rose Parade VIPs
down Colorado Blvd., including the Grand Marshal, Tournament of Roses President, Mayor of
Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees. FTD® is also the sponsor of the Rose Parade
Float Awards.
